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PUC approves Walleye Wind turbines

Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission gave approval last week to the 109-megawatt Walleye Wind project in west-central Rock County.
 The regulatory agency issued permits to NextEra Energy for both site construction and certificate of need for the electricity.
NextEra plans to construct up to 40 wind turbines in the townships of Beaver Creek, Luverne, Martin and Springwater. The farm encompasses over 49 square miles or 31,000 acres.
“We are very pleased with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision to approve the Walleye Wind Project,” said Walleye Wind project director Mike Wiech.
“We appreciate the commission’s thorough review of our project, as well as the generous support from the community.”
According to the press release from the PUC, the project is expected to bring up to 185 jobs during the construction and up to four full-time positions after the construction is complete.
Once fully operational, the wind farm is estimated to generate between $400,000 to $600,000 in annual tax revenues to Rock County.
The farm will provide electricity to the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency through a 30-year purchase agreement.
Weich indicated NextEra is waiting for the final written order from the PUC.
“We will host a community meeting to share our construction plans,” he wrote.
That meeting could take place in October. Original plans were to complete the wind farm by the end of the year.
The PUC approved requirements to minimize project impacts to human and natural environments.
NextEra developed a shadow flicker management plan, an avian and bat protection plan, a native prairie protection plan and a decommissioning plan, which ensures sites are restored at the end of the wind farm’s useful life.
 
Commissioners approved laydown yard permit
A conditional use permit was approved by Rock County Commissioners July 6 for a temporary construction laydown yard in Section 17 of Beaver Creek Township, owned by Dach Inc.
Charles Matus of Luverne is listed as the corporation’s contact.
No one opposed the plans at the June 21 Rock County Planning and Zoning public hearing about the laydown location.
Commissioners unanimously approved the permit to use 38.1 acres for the laydown yard.
It will be accessed by County Road 59 and 101st Street during the construction timeframe for a temporary staging site for all the necessary construction material for building the wind farm.
The site will also host construction trailers and parking for workers.
The site is also where one of the former Perch Wind turbines is currently located. That turbine, along with six other inoperable turbines in the area, will be decommissioned by NextEra Energy. The conditional use permit is in effect for three years.
The permit stipulates once NextEra is finished with the site, the topsoil will be restored and the site be returned to its original condition, which is for general agricultural purposes.

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